Singer Gareth Gates: My nickname is Gaz

SINGER and actor Gareth, 32, lives in London and is dating Coronation Street star Faye Brookes.

'Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at playing instruments'

Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at… playing instruments. I’ve struggled terribly with my speech all my life and when I was eight, I learned I could sing. I joined Bradford Cathedral Choir and then started to play the classical guitar, the piano and the drums. Music has been my life ever since.

My best friend is… a guy called Matt Daines. He’s an actor who runs his own performing arts school. I’ve known him about 15 years, he’s great and we have a lot in common.

My nickname is… Gaz. That’s what my three sisters and my mates from home call me. My friends in the business call me G.

My girlfriend and I call each other Angel – I know that sounds soppy.

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The bravest thing I’ve ever done is… appear on Pop Idol. I was very shy, particularly because of my speech. The singing part of the competition was a doddle for me, but throwing myself into the limelight and having to do live interviews was quite stressful for someone with a stammer. I came out the other side of it, but it’s still a battle.

My favourite TV show is… Friends. It’s my go-to when I just want a bit of background noise. I’m constantly on the road and a friend of mine bought me the whole box set on iTunes, so I can watch it wherever I am in the world.

My perfect evening is… with my daughter Missy and/or my girlfriend Faye. If it’s with my daughter, I love to be on the sofa with her wrapped around me, just chilling out.

Missy has a piano exam soon, so when I’m on tour I FaceTime her every evening at six while she does her piano lesson. If I’m with Faye, we might go to a nice restaurant, but just being at home doing nothing is always nice.

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'The one thing I’d change about myself is my speech'

I’d like to say sorry to… my speech coach.

I don’t put enough time and effort into working on my speech, but he always puts a lot of effort into me.

My first kiss was… when I was very young.

I started early, maybe nine. I can’t remember her name, but it was a peck at school.

My biggest regret is… not coming up with the concept of Deliveroo. I’ve got a few businesses of my own, including a range of coconut teas called Cuppanut, which are on sale in Holland & Barrett stores. I’m constantly looking out for brand-new business ideas.

The one thing I’d change about myself is… my speech. Although I’m a better and more humble person because of the struggle I’ve been through, sometimes I wish it was a little easier.

The best thing my parents taught me was… my work ethic. From a very young age, my dad drummed into me that you get out of this world what you put in. As a result of that, I work very hard. I feel bad if I don’t.

The last time I cried was… with my daughter. I see her most weekends, but sometimes if I’m far away on tour I don’t get to see her. I had an amazing time with her last weekend and saying bye always chokes me up a little.

The first record I ever bought was… Elton John’s Candle In The Wind – the rewritten version for Princess Diana. I remember watching the funeral. It really moved me.

It’s not good for my image but I like… classical music. Running a business, I have a couple of full-time staff, so I’m constantly on my laptop and I listen to Classic FM while I’m working. It makes me feel older, but older in a good way. It’s very soothing and takes me back to my classical music roots.

My greatest weakness is… sugar. I’m on a strict regime with the gym and on a high-protein diet, so I’ve cut out bad foods and don’t eat bread or chips any more. But in the evening, I sometimes like to binge on sweet stuff.

If I could pass any law I would… alter the laws on speeding. I understand the importance of it for safety, but I think it’s sometimes unfair if you get fined for accidentally doing 35mph in a 30mph zone.

The shop I can’t walk past is… Holland & Barrett. I’m very healthy at the minute, so I buy all my supplements, protein shakes and vitamins there, but also to check how my tea is selling. I’m in a different city every week with Footloose: The Musical, so I always pop into the local branch and meet the staff and make sure the tea is on the top shelf and not the bottom.

The most expensive thing I’ve ever splashed out on is… setting up my Cuppanut business. I invested quite a lot in it, but it’s doing well so it was a risk that paid off.

My perfect Sunday is… having lunch at my parents’ house with all my family, Missy and Faye.

My favourite place in Britain is… Yorkshire. It’s my home county and I love being back. I’m from Bradford and I love places like York, Ilkley and Harrogate, which are beyond beautiful.

My last holiday was… in Kuala Lumpur. I was performing there and made a holiday out of it. I flew my parents out and Faye came, too.

I’m currently reading… Men’s Health magazine, which teaches me the best way to eat and to work out. I’m too busy to sit down with a book. I spend all my day running the business and then in the evenings I perform.

The best day of my life was… the birth of my daughter. It was incredible and changed my whole outlook on life.

If I had half an hour left on Earth I’d… spend it with the people I love, just stuffing my face – I’d eat as much bread as I could.

Gareth is appearing on tour in Footloose: The Musical. For more information and tickets, visit footloose-musical.com.